The Supreme Court has modified its earlier order and has directed that playing of the National Anthem in theatres is no longer mandatory.
Supreme Court modifies its order on National Anthem, says it is not mandatory in cinema halls pic.twitter.com/cC0dqcTj5P
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2018
National Anthem: Supreme Court modifies earlier order, directs playing of National Anthem in Cinema halls is not mandatory. Notes Centre’s submission about Committee which has been constituted to decide on all aspects relating to National Anthem. Petition disposed of.
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) January 9, 2018
The Centre, through Attorney General AG Venugopal, had informed the apext court that a committee has been constituted to look into all aspects relating to the National Anthem and that the mandate by the court could be lifted till the committee takes a decision, according to the Bar and Bench.
“The court may consider restoration of status quo ante…,” an affidavit, filed by an under-secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, said, according to The Economic Times.
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In November 2016, the Supreme Court had issued an interim order to all cinemas to play the National Anthem before the screening of a film “in order to imbibe the love of the motherland”. The order said that all present must “stand up in respect” till the anthem ended, to “instill a feeling within one a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism.”
Later in October 2017, the apex court had stated that people needn’t stand up for the National Anthem in movie halls to prove their patriotism. Further, the Supreme Court has requested the Centre to consider amending the rules to regulate the playing of the National Anthem before a film. The Supreme Court bench had asked the Centre to take a call either way on the issue of regulating the playing of the anthem before a film.
The court had asked the Centre to consider taking a call by 9 January on amending the National Flag code for regulating the playing of National Anthem in cinema halls across the country.